The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1887-08-05
FOUND AT LAST.
swFT's SILVER MINE DISCOVERED
Ip Wolfe County, and The Herald Man
One of the Lucky Possessors.


One of the Lucky Possessors.
The existence of rich silver mine in
Eastern Kentucky, has been tradition
for the past one hundred years. In fact,
il was lost mine when Daniel Boone
and his companions first discovered "The
Dark and Bloody Ground" 20 named by
the Indians on account of the Evolutionary
slaughter of their ancestors within its
borders, accounts of which had been
handed down TO them. All the tribes
were swept away, and In their place the
ghosts Of the departed red men were sup
posed 10 wander among the solitudes.
Hence the reason that when Boone came
to Kentucky, he found no Indians dwell
ing within It's borders. He found, how
ever, along the great War Road, which
led from the Cumberland and Tennessee
rivers, across Eastern Kentucky to the
Ohio, and thence TO the Pickaway and
Scioto towns, numerous bands Of Indians
engaged in the chase, Before the advent
Of Boone into Kentucky, in 1873, man
by the name Of Swift, accompanied by
several companions, left Baltimore and
struck out for the wilderness, being in
duced thereto by Swifts relation of the
existence of great silver mine which he
had worked while captive among the
Indians. They carried their packs on
mules, and for days joprneyed over hills
and valleys toward the West. After Il
long and exhausting march they arrived
on the East branch of a large stream
which they afterwards found emptied
into the Ohio, and known by the Indians
as the Chattaroi river-now rs the Big
Sandy. IL is said that their provisions
were exhausted, and being unable to find
game, they killed and ate their mules.
No sound broke the awful solitude which
rested upon the rocky, sterile region, The
game seemed to have deserted the country
and death stared them in the face. In
this extremity they killed their paCk-ani-
mails and ate them. When this resource
was gone, all of Swift's companions cX-
ccpt two deserted and left, taking the
back track for Maryland. Swift and his
companions determined to pcrseycrc,
hoping To reach the goal of their wishes.
After all their animals had been con-
sumcd, they roasted and ate the tugs
which had been used to tie Oh their pack
saddles. They were finally relieved by
party Of hunters who ran across them,
and by them were conducted down the
stream to where Louisa now stands, which
is on Il survey made by George Washing.
ton. The circumstance of their eating
the tugs has given the name of Tug Fork
TO that branch of Big Sandy, which il
bears TO this day. At the forks OF Big
Sandy, LOuisa now the hunting party
h, sS,,.it /,
and his two companions, who proceeded
up the West Fork, now known as the
Louisa Fork. After two days travel up
the stream, Swift left the river and turned
up stream which came from the West.
This stream is supposed to be what is now
called Paint Creek. They Travelled up
this stream three days, crossing low,
fiat country at the head, and several
other streams. Under Swift's guidance
they reached the mine. They proceeded
to dig and smclt the ore. Here they
remgined for some time, and they de-
tcrmincd TO return To Baltimore u
arrange for the better working of the
mine. Concealing Il part of their ore,
they took what they could carry and
started Oh their return. Two days after
their departure they were attacked by Il
rowing band of Indians. One of the
party was killed. The other WAS sepa
rated from Swift and was never heard OF
afterwards. Swift abandoned the ore he
carried and escaped, finally reaching
Baltimore, after many hardships. He
visited Europe TO interest capitalists in
his mine. He met with success, and with
! the assurance of ample capital to back
him, started home. On his way across
the Atlantic his eyes were affected and
he became totally blind after reaching
Baltimore. He started with a party
blind ~ he was, hoping tO give such di
rectiOns as would enable them 70 reach
the mine. Swift died during the journey
and TO this day the existence of his mine
is known only as tradition. A number
Of papers left by Swift with his family
give an account OF the location OF the
mine and the course pursued to reach it.
Evidences of the truth OF the tradition
are known to the present generation
! First, We have the name Of Tug Fork
given to the stream by Swift and hi:
companions. On Paint Creek, in john
son county, there has been found five
| specimens Of silver ore, lying on the
ground. Near The same place was also
found silver brick, which had been
smclted, and evidently lost or dropped
by some one. The tradition is. that Swift
was blind.folded by the Indians when
they conducted him 10 the cave in which
the ore was smelted, and the trinket'
rudely fashioned manufactured. They
brought the ore % The cave, and required
him 10 assist in It's reduction. They
concealed the mine, but knowing the di
roction from which the Indians brought
the ore, was enabled to find the min,
without trouble. After long captivity